Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Transportation
ARRIVING IN VANCOUVER
Most visitors will arrive by air at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), south of the city
on Sea Island in Richmond. Alternatively, US trains trundle in from Seattle to Pacific Cen-
tral Station, located on the southern edge of Vancouver's Chinatown district. Cross-bor-
der bus services also arrive at this terminal. Vancouver is only an hour or so from several
US border crossings, so driving is a popular way to access the city from the US, while
cruise ships plying the Alaska route dock on the city's waterfront. Cross-Canada rail, bus
and flight operations also service the city, which is the main gateway for accessing destin-
ations throughout British Columbia (BC).
Flights, cars and tours can be booked online at
www.lonelyplanet.com
.
Vancouver International Airport
Canada's second-busiest airport,
Vancouver International Airport
(YVR; ;
www.yvr.ca
)
lies 13km south of downtown in the city of Richmond. There are two main terminals - in-
ternational (including flights to the US) and domestic - just a short stroll apart. The smal-
ler South Terminal is located a quick drive away: free shuttle-bus links are provided. This
tiny terminal services floatplanes, helicopters and smaller aircraft traveling on lower capa-
city routes to small communities in BC and beyond. In addition, short-hop floatplane and
helicopter services to and from Vancouver Island and beyond also have a terminal on the
city's downtown waterfront near Canada Place.
The main airport has shops, food courts, currency exchange booths and a tourist in-
formation desk. It's also dotted with First Nations artworks. Baggage carts are free (no
deposit required) and there is also free wi-fi.
Train
SkyTrain's 16-station
Canada Line
(
www.translink.bc.ca
;
adult one-way fare $2.75-5.50,
plus extra $5 from airport) operates a rapid-transit train service from the airport to down-
town. Trains run every few minutes from early morning until after midnight and take
around 25 minutes to reach downtown's Waterfront Station. The airport station is located
outside between the domestic and international terminals. Follow the signs from inside
either terminal and buy your ticket from the platform vending machines. These accept
cash, credit and debit cards - look for green-jacketed Canada Line staff if you're bleary-
eyed and need assistance after your long-haul flight. Fares from the airport cost between
$7.75 and $10.50, depending on your destination and the time of day.
